Equity markets ‘set to rise strongly’

WORLD equity markets will rise strongly next year buoyed by an improving international economy, a leading investment adviser said over the weekend.

Ulster Bank head of investments Derek Moore says that international markets have already showed positive signs of sustained recovery and this will continue next year and at a quicker pace.

"There are promising signs that the global economic recovery has already started and, while Europe will continue to lag, the US is likely to recover more strongly in 2004. Equity markets should continue to strengthen, with stocks outperforming bonds, and Japanese equities in particular showing strong growth," he said.